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Social media for the good

Say what you like about social media, but I think it can be used for good. Hands up, I have not always - I have moaned about it myself for years - I am still not a fan of Facebook, I think it brings out the inner stalker and tempts you into comparison, which one must remember is the thief of joy! [Or maybe it's just me, I went to school with a bunch of very attractive over achieving girls and have always been the black sheep in the stats and Facebook is just a massive reminder of this!] Either way, I am starting to learn that actually social media can be an incredibly good thing in your life and bring great blessing.

Yesterday morning I was a wreck following a very long night and not much sleep [you know you are looking rough when your postman tells you!] I knew it was going to be a case of 'surviving' the day. I turned to my Bible for some comfort and up lifting and was very happy to read Acts 3:19&20a particularly 20a "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." [ESV] As these verses had been highlighted to me by the She Reads Truth lenten studies I had illustrated it out in my journaling Bible, so it caught my eye as I flicked desperately through. I smiled, yes this is what I needed.

I snapped a quick picture of the page [see above right] and posted it on my personal Instagram account with this comment: "I really need refreshing in the presence of the Lord today!! Only three hours sleep last night due to very upset eBear. (I had planned to get an early night as I've been up late all week trying to get prints ready for the @graceandsaltink shop. Ha!) I am not cut out for operating on so little sleep! So if you post anything about strength from God today please tag me, I really need as many reminders as I can get!! 🙈"

My hope had been one or two friends would tag something - what I actually got was amazing. Throughout the day I was tagged on various posts, both things people were posting and things they saw posted and thought of me. I also had scripture and song lyrics in response. I had the most touching personal message come through direct. Prayers and love from around the global. It was fantastic! Even this morning I have had more! I have been so blessed by the response and it certainly helped me get through the day whilst I felt quite like a zombie [I do not do well on little sleep]!

One friend directed me to a post of Philippians 4v13, a great truth that always energises! When I turned to it in my journaling Bible I was drawn to v19 which in the ESV says "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." This threw me into praising [🙌 Yes Lord!]!

So, despite it's negatives - which are many - social media can be used for the good. The community I have around me through journaling Bible posts, and sewing, is brilliant. A fantastic encouragement on a daily basis and a personal cheerleading squad on days when I feel like I will never survive. If you use it as a tool to compare your life to others it will no doubt end in tears, but if you use it to spread the word and encourage one another, I believe you will be blessed, as I have!